The Eighth Beatitude'Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'--MATT. v. 10. We have seen the description of the true subjects of the kingdom growing into form and completeness before our eyes in the preceding verses, which tell us what they are in their own consciousness, what they are in their longings, what they become in inward nature by God's gift of purity, how they move among men as angels of God, meek, merciful, peace-bringing. Is anything more needed …Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Second Beatitude'Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.'--MATT. v. 4. An ordinary superficial view of these so-called Beatitudes is that they are simply a collection of unrelated sayings. But they are a great deal more than that. There is a vital connection and progress in them. The jewels are not flung down in a heap; they are wreathed into a chain, which whosoever wears shall have 'an ornament of grace about his neck.' They are an outgrowth from a common root; stages in the evolution of Christian …Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Law of Love'Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even …Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Redemption"Ye shall therefore be perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect."--MATT. V. 48. "Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver from the body of this death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord."--ROM. VII. 24, 25. We have studied the meaning of reconciliation through the Cross. We have said that to be reconciled to God means to cease to be the object of the Wrath of God, that is, His hostility to sin. We can only cease to be the objects of this Divine Wrath by identifying ourselves …J. H. Beibitz—Gloria Crucis

Cross References

2 Samuel 17:28 brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and meal, and parched grain , and beans, and lentils, and parched pulse ,

2 Samuel 22:26 With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; With the perfect man thou wilt show thyself perfect;

Psalm 18:25 With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; With the perfect man thou wilt show thyself perfect;

Proverbs 11:17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.